VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly will visit Indonesia and Vietnam to reinforce bilateral relations and expand partnerships in Indo-Pacific.

Minister Joly announced that she will be travelling to Indonesia and Vietnam from April 9 to 14, said the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta in a statement received here on Sunday.

While visiting Indonesia and Vietnam, Minister Joly will expand partnerships and reiterate Canada’s commitment to engagement with nations throughout the region as part of the forthcoming Canadian Indo-Pacific Strategy.

"Canada has been a strong, reliable and effective partner of Indonesia, Vietnam and ASEAN, and our celebration of several decades of cooperation is an excellent opportunity to reflect on our experiences and achievements," said Foreign Minister Joly as stated in a statement from the Canadian Embassy.

"I look forward to visiting Indonesia and Vietnam to gain a better understanding of the region, to expand partnerships and to contribute successfully to a more secure, resilient, inclusive and sustainable Indo-Pacific for the benefit of all people," she stated.

Beyond Pacific coastline and geographic proximity, Canada and the Indo-pacific region have shared histories, cultures and significant people-to-people ties.

Canada is committed to deepening our diplomatic, security, trade and economic engagement in the region to ensure we are seizing opportunities for Canadians and advancing shared priorities, said the Embassy in its written statement.

Throughout her trip, Minister Joly will stress Canada’s commitment to pursuing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

She will also engage in discussions on pressing global challenges, including the need for a diplomatic solution on the unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine and the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

In Jakarta, Minister Joly will meet with Indonesian government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, to highlight Canada’s 70th anniversary of bilateral relations with Indonesia.

The Canadian FM will also meet with stakeholders on policy and regional security in the Indo-Pacific and with leaders supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Indonesia.

In meetings with ASEAN officials, Joly will reaffirm Canada’s commitment to the association, particularly to its central role in bringing peace, security and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

In Hanoi, Vietnam, Minister Joly will meet with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, Bùi Thanh Sơn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nguyễn Hồng Diên, Minister of Industry and Trade to underscore Canada and Vietnam’s long-standing bilateral ties in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023. (Antaranews)